METUCHEN — Nails in the Wall, the Gallery at St. Luke’s, 17 Oak Ave., invites community participation with its current exhibit, “The Immigration Issue: Then & Now.”
The exhibit includes artwork using many media and styles by artists from all over the country.
The works visually reflect on the ethical and moral issue of immigration.
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But beyond the artwork, the exhibit calls visitors to acknowledge the “immigrant status” of all Americans — as either immigrants or the children of immigrants — and what that means emotionally and psychologically.
To make that a very personal reality, the gallery has invited anyone who wishes to create a brief narrative of his or her own immigration story to be included in the chronicle being developed by the gallery. It will remain on display with the exhibit and will then be archived with the gallery documents.
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Many members of the community have already contributed one-page photo essays about how their families came to the United States.
The stories include everything from families who arrived early in the country’s founding to those who have come more recently.
The gallery has created a handout to clarify the details for creating an entry for the Personal Immigration Story Booklet. It can be accessed on the newly redesigned Nails in the Wall webpage (www.nailsinthewall.com) or at the gallery.
The personal immigration stories already submitted are now available to gallery visitors.
“The Immigration Issue: Then & Now” remains on view through May 31. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 4-6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
For questions about the gallery or to submit an immigration story, contact the gallery director at 732-906-4137 or earthsongsceramicstudio@gmail.com.
